I just hate how this media machine keeps trying to promote a new rec center that was beaten so badly by the voters. The Pilot keeps pushing forward when ever and where ever they can to positivly plug the failed measure. That last paragraph in this artical is so one-sided. If your going to print something like that paragraph, I would think you might want to put some thought into it, or maybe the editor should anyway. At least tell it like it was. It's getting to be like you can't even trust your small town paper anymore.

If you'd pay for the rec center, I'm in. Otherwise, it's a pretty serious issue, spending $66 million (read your ballot information guide-"in favor and opposing") for an indoor pool. I've been here ten years and my community is running working families out. My child is learning to swim (thanks for the concern) and so far I haven't spent nearly 66 million to have her learn.

I posted a comment above, and I'm a dad with a three year old. I'm not a bar owner, and I'm against the proposed rec center as written now. Voting No will just send them back to look at what we really "need". I'm sure, someday, there will be a smaller, cost efficient, and great facility for this community. Right now, this structure is being built for the wealthy and their guests, and the middle class is disappearing.

The actual cost for this center is closer to $60 million and the numbers they are using are very misleading. They also don't tell you about the cost for an annual family membership. That would be $600 for families inside Steamboat's city limits, and $900 for families outside, that's on top of your taxes. Has anyboby thought how we're going to staff this center? According to the propaganda, the facility will be open "extended hours, and holidays". Employers are seeing quite a crunch right now, and with working families being driven out of Steamboat because of the high cost of living it's going to get much worse. Adding massive taxes and fees to provide a rec center contridicts what supporters say. They are actually helping to drive these working families out, who they say are reason they "need" to build this facility. They want to build a facility the size of the Apex Center which serves a 100,000 population base! We have 12,000 people here, yes we'll grow, but not to the size that would make this proposed center feisable by any means.

Don't let the misleading words influence your decision. They place urgency on their rec center because they've spent a quarter of a million on consultants. I do agree that we will have a rec center someday, but to vote for this gigantic, costly, structure is not feisable for a town of 12,000 people. There is nothing wrong with voting (No on 2a and 2b) this back to the drawing board, so we can have a rec center that is more appropriate for the size of our town. The attitude that we need the biggest and best right now is not only fiscally irresponciable, but a burdon to those it is supposed to be built for.

Let's look at what we already have and be greatful we have it! Let's think for ourselves and see past the hype. Let's get the real cost. Let's get it on the ballot accuratly and clearly. Let's not let Old Town Hot Springs go under (and they will if it's built), Let's defeat this rec center.

It will go to a vote, the city has spent much money with these consultants (who have done a good job investagating, but have not clearly given us good costs). The only way will be to vote.

It was very informative to go to this meeting last night. I want to thank Mike Lawrence for clarifing the costs of a new rec center. 30-40 million dollars.

I hope that the new survey will honestly and accurately portray the cost of this stucture, so not to trick voters into a rec center. Futhermore, the language on the ballot needs to be clearly worded so people can accurately understand just how much money it takes to build (not to mention sustain!) such a facility, with no financial surprises to come up after the vote (if it passes).

I fear with such change going on in Steamboat Springs that we've become caught up in all the hype.

There is so much that Steamboat Springs has to offer my family for recreation (too much to list) and all I hear is "we need". "We need" to be fiscally responsible and spend our tax dollars on things like education, affordable housing, the environment, and creative ways to entice and retain quality employees. Those are real "needs." 30-40 MILLION DOLLARS for a new rec center.

Socrates, here are some of the recreational opertunities in Steamboat that my family enjoys:

Old Town Hot Springs
Howelson Hill's biking/ski trails and the Apline slide
Music together classes
Strawberry Hot Springs
Excel Gymnastics center
Steamboat Ski Area-biking/hiking/skiing
The Yampa River
The Core Trail
Numerous outdoor parks
Steamboat Mountain Theater
2 movie theaters
Strings on the Mountain
Free concerts thoughtout high seasons
The skate park-which is looking at the new rec center as a possible location to build new
Tons of biking/hiking trails throughout Routt and Steamboat

You mentioned your family doesn't particapate in Winter Sports Club (mine doesn't either) but a family membership at the new rec center won't be cheap, so it's not the cure all for kids. It's not only going to cost more then any other project yet encountered, it will lose money every year. Drugs and alcohol will always be around, a new rec center won't help with that problem. It's our job to look out for our own kids, not a rec center.

This town already has problems with getting and retaining employees with the many facilities now. Just look at ski corp who import employees from other counties because they say they need them.

We have choices here (MUCH more then where I grew up). Just open your eyes and take advantage of what we have. Any teenager who says there is nothing to do here is just being a teenager. What's wrong with getting a job for a little extra money and it's a safe, supervised place to be?

It was very informative to go to this meeting last night. I want to thank Mike Lawrence for clarifing the costs of a new rec center. 30-40 million dollars.

I hope that the new survey will honestly and accurately portray the cost of this stucture, so not to trick voters into a rec center. Futhermore, the language on the ballot needs to be clearly worded so people can accurately understand just how much money it takes to build (not to mention sustain!) such a facility, with no financial surprises to come up after the vote (if it passes).

I fear with such change going on in Steamboat Springs that we become caught up in all the hype.

There is so much that Steamboat Springs has to offer my family for recreation (too much to list) and all I hear is "we need". "We need" to be fiscally responsible and spend our tax dollars on things like education, affordable housing, the environment, and creative ways to entice and retain quality employees. Those are real "needs." 30-40 MILLION DOLLARS for a new rec center.